In This Issue
• Light Winds On Race Day 2 of the 2021 470 Europeans
• Regate di Primavera - Portofino: Splendido Mare Cup
• Smooth Operators - Nautix
• Countdown to the 39 Copa del Rey MAPFRE
• For the Record
• "What Division is Right for Me in the Bermuda Race?"
• International 5-05 Day - 5th May
• Top 10 Cruising Boat Upgrades
• What About Consuelo?
• Foxy's Iconic Bar in BVI Adds a Music School
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter: Andrasta - i39-OS
• Featured Brokerage:
• • ERYD 30 Classic - Oriente
• • Gunboat 68
• • Alfred Mylne Bermudan Sloop 'Gometra'
• The Last Word: Rumi

Brought to you by Seahorse magazine and YachtScoring.com EuroSail News is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to

Light Winds On Race Day 2 of the 2021 470 Europeans
A beautiful sunny day in Vilamoura delivered light breeze in the afternoon.

The 81 teams sailed 2 races with a southerly 7-9 kt breeze.

In the Men's fleet the New Zealanders Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox moved to 1st place followed closely by the Spanish crew Jordi Xammar and Nicolas Rodriguez just 2 points behind, with Olympic champions Mathew Belcher and Will Ryan completing the top 3 another 2 points behind Xammar.

In the Women's fleet, the World Champions, Silvia Mas Depares and Patricia Cantero are leading with 11 points with a very consistent day. The French team of Camille Lecointre and Aloise Retornaz dropped one place and are now in a close 2nd, followed by the Brazilians Fernanda Oliveira and Ana Barbachan which had a fantastic day wining both races.

The Mixed fleet saw big changes in the leader board: Nitai Hasson and Saar Tamir from ISR kept the 1st place but are now followed by the bronze medallists of the 2021 World Championship from GBR, Amy Seabright and James Taylor 5 points behind, and Louisa Nordstrom and Trevor Bornarth from USA in 3rd place.

Live streaming starts tomorrow, taking us all the way until the Medal Race on Friday May 7. Follow the action on the water via the Vilamoura Sailing You Tube channel.

2021europeans.470.org

Regate di Primavera - Portofino: Splendido Mare Cup
A little less than two days to the official start of the Regate di Primavera - Splendido Mare Cup which will begin on Wednesday, May 5 with the arrival of the yachts entered and registration formalities. Action on the waters starts Thursday at 11 o'clock with the start of the first race. Races will continue until Sunday, May 9 and will end with the prizegiving at 5:30 PM in Portofino.

Meanwhile the town is getting ready to welcome all the yachts which will be moored at the quays of the Portofino Yacht Marina and the buoys in the bay with the first yachts expected tomorrow for preparation and the first training sessions in the waters of the Gulf. Some yachts will be moored in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Here is the definitive entry list of the yachts entered built by the yards involved - Wally, Southern Wind Shipyard, Nautor's Swan and Mylius - and the yachts belonging to the International Maxi Association and those of YCI members.

To be won in Portofino at the Regate di Primavera - Splendido Mare Cup, the new trophy specially commissioned by the YCI from Maestro Marcello Morandini, architect, sculptor and designer who has created the special Challenge Trophies for the winners of the Racer and Cruiser classes.

In addition to these, the IMA Trophies for the best placed among the IMA members in each class, the Belmond Trophy for the winner in the Racer category and the Splendido Mare Trophy for the winner in the Cruiser class. Special Veuve Clicquot prizes for the top three in the two classes.

Every day it will be possible to see live coverage of the highlights of the races on the YouTube channel of the Yacht Club Italiano, and online tracking is available at this link.

www.yachtclubitaliano.it

Smooth Operators - Nautix
When the world capital of ocean racing is right there on your doorstep there is also no shortage of knowledgeable - and demanding - volunteers to push you to develop a superior product

There is not one racing sailor who has not felt the bottom of their hull and worried about skin friction. Think of the hours spent perfecting that surface so that not one second is lost on the racecourse due to excessive drag. Nautix has developed a full range of innovative paint products that are growing in recognition and acceptance in the racing community.

What sets Nautix apart in the coatings business is their small company size with a deep heritage in performance sailing. As part of the famous Lorient Sailing Valley, Nautix has for 40 years been well within the culture of innovation that routinely produces some of the world's finest sailors and yachts. The company's roots are in windsurfing, which in the 1980s was on a meteoric rise in popularity and in desperate need for reliable quality equipment to meet the demand. Nautix remains a trusted supplier in that business.

Full article in the May issue of Seahorse

Countdown to the 39 Copa del Rey MAPFRE
The 39 Copa del Rey MAPFRE, the showcase regatta of the Real Club Náutico de Palma, will be held from July 31 to August 7. The countdown to the event is set off with the publication of the Notice of Race, the main document that lays out the schedule, classes and rules for the famous Mediterranean event.

The 39th edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma, gets on course with the publication of the Notice of Race today, Friday 23rd April.

The famous competition returns to the bay of Palma (Mallorca, Spain) from July 31 to August 7 for what will undoubtedly be one of the most highly anticipated editions of the world renowned regatta.

The 39 Copa del Rey MAPFRE is scheduled to host a total of 11 classes, one of which - the Maxi fleet - is a guest class.

So the fleets will be Mallorca Sotheby's IRC, BMW ORC 1, BMW ORC 2, BMW ORC 3, ClubSwan 50, Swan 45, ClubSwan 42, ClubSwan 36, Herbalife J70, the Women's Cup class that will sail in J80 and the Maxis.

As for the competition schedule, as usual, the first two days will be reserved for the confirmation of entries and registration, while racing will be held from August 2 to 7, starting each day at 1300hrs. local time. The prize giving ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 7 bringing this 39th edition to a fitting conclusion.

www.regatacopadelrey.com

For the Record
The WSSR Council announces the establishment of a new World Record:

Record: Plymouth to La Rochelle
Yacht: Maserati Multi 70
Name: Giovanni Soldini ITA and a crew of 6.
Date:.15th to the 16th April 2021.
Start time: 14;06;21 UTC on the 15/04/21
Finish time: 02;21;42 UTC on the 16/04/21
Elapsed time: 12 hours 15 minutes and 21 seconds
Course length: 329 NM
Average speed: 26.84 kts
Comments: Previous Record: "Phaedo 3". Thornburg/Thompson. USA/GBR. Sep 15. 14h 05m 20s

John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council.

sailspeedrecords.com

"What Division is Right for Me in the Bermuda Race?"
Race-Prep Webinar #4 - May 11, 1900 EDT

In this one-hour webinar, past race chair A.J. Evans and technical committee chair Nick Nicholson will help you decide which "race within the Bermuda Race" is right for you, your boat, and your crew.

Your type of boat and your crew make-up will sometimes make it obvious whether you will sail in the St. David's, Gibbs Hill, Finisterre or other divisions, but often as Captain you can make equipment and crew choices to sail in a more or less intensely competitive mode, thereby moving into one division or another.

Moderated by Race Vice-Chairman Mark Lenci, our experts will review several examples and respond to your questions.

Registration is free, but you must REGISTER to receive the Zoom link for the event. As you register, you are also invited to submit questions in advance. (NOTE: If you've previously registered, there's no need to do so again.)

In case you missed any of them, our first three race-prep webinars are posted on our webinar series page and available for your review.

bermudarace.com/webinar/

International 5-05 Day - 5th May
The International 5O5 Sailing Class has adopted the 5th May as International 5O5 Day to celebrate the 60+ years of history and community. For over 60 years this astounding racing dinghy has maintained its position as the most successful two person sailing boat on the planet. Enormously popular amongst Olympians, World champions and enthusiastic weekend sailors alike, the Class will use the 5th May to celebrate the 505 Community that spans over 17 countries and over six decades of racing around the world.

Why does the Class remain so successful? Its a "most elegant, beautiful boat" (Harold Cudmore, Olympian and multiple world champion), "no other boat is able to give one such pleasure (Paul Elvstrom, Olympian and multiple world champion), it has awesome international racing (Penny Clark, Olympian), "its just so much fun (Earl Alexander, 70 years old).

65 years has built the largest, still engaged community in sport today.

Join us in celebrating the 5th of May on facebook or by Zoom on the 5th of May.

Details on the Class Website at int505.org

Top 10 Cruising Boat Upgrades
As I've noted in this space before, a lot of folks bought cruising boats during the pandemic and many are planning to head off in the future, maybe this year, for an extended cruise. Judging from the chatter on social media in venues like the Facebook Yacht Club, or the Sailing and Cruising or Bluewater Sailing and Cruising FB groups, there are quite a few folks who are new to boat ownership and to the skills that sailing, passagemaking and cruising demand. With that thought in mind, here are my top 10 upgrades that will make living aboard and life on the water safer and happier for all.

1. A robust anchoring set up with a windlass, multiple rodes and at least three types of anchors.

2. Sails in good condition that can be deeply reefed, plus downwind sails.

3. Adequate weather protection in the cockpit, ie. Dodger, bimini, insert etc.

4. Appropriate autopilot with spare parts. If possible, a back-up autopilot or windvane for peace of mind.

5. A quality dinghy. A RIB with an outboard large enough to make the dinghy plane is the most popular choice.

6. Self-sufficient energy system. Large battery bank, upgraded alternator, smart charger, solar panels, wind generator and LED lightbulbs.

7. Safety gear and preparation. EPIRB, personal locator beacons, PFDs and harnesses, jacklines, life raft, ditch kit.

8. High seas communication. VHF radios, long range comms for voice and or email like an SSB or Ham radio, satellite comms via a satphone, IridiumGo, InReach or Spot.

9. Weather forecasting onboard. Learn weather fundamentals. Subscribe to a weather service like PredictWind, Ocens, or SailMail. Consult professionals for passage routing.

10. Comforts of home. Watermaker, fitted sheets, fans, good refer and freezer, cockpit cushions, curtains, quality foul weather gear, high output inverter, a way to watch movies.

I am sure I have omitted items that many think are indispensable and included things that many can happily live without. What do you think? If you'd like to share your thoughts on essential or nonessential gear and equipment, email me at -- George Day

www.bwsailing.com

What About Consuelo?
Click on image to enlarge.

This little cat yawl that was N.G. Herreshoff's initial foray into the design of cruising sailboats has always intrigued me as she's such a complete departure from his earlier work. Launched for himself in 1883, she's the very first sailing craft considered substantial enough to be entered into the construction list of the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. (HMCo.) since its founding five years before. She carried hull number 400, kicking off the thousand-plus that would follow over the next 63 years. (Numbers 1 to 399 were intended for power craft.) Drawings back in those early days were few and none specifically created for CONSUELO were known to exist. Until recently, that is, when a rough construction plan came to light - drawn in pencil by Nathanael Herreshoff (N.G.H.) himself. Discovered at the same time were several of his studies leading up to this boat. With these documents at hand, a better idea of what CONSUELO was like is possible.

Catamarans were N.G.H.'s personal watercraft before 1882 and in later life he claimed to have enjoyed sailing them more than any other type. Indeed, they were wicked fast and gave a full measure of spirited sailing, but offered no shelter save for a tent pitched on the floor of their shallow oval cockpits for sleeping. Now that N.G.H. had reached 34 years of age, he may have had enough of this kind of sailing. He may even have been thinking of marriage and a more suitable watercraft in which to take his bride. In any event, for reasons we can only presume, he decided to go in for more comfort and sacrifice a good bit of speed when designing his new boat - a 32-foot, full-keel cat yawl that he christened CONSUELO. For whom she was named remains a mystery.

Hulls of this shape were becoming common during the 1880s, so CONSUELO's shape was not exactly the breakthrough that N.G.H.'s GLORIANA's turned out to be a decade later.

Full article at the Herreshoff Marine Museum

Foxy's Iconic Bar in BVI Adds a Music School
If you're heading for Foxy's Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, you may not find Foxy himself. That's because Foxy (Foxy Callwood ) is spending a lot of his time at his music school down the road behind the restaurant, helping kids from the islands.

Foxy's has become an institution of almost folklore proportions ever since it opened on the beach in Great Harbour in 1968, a destination for cruisers and charter-boat customers from all around the world. (If you don't have your own boat, you can take the ferry from West End, Tortola, across the way.) The food is good, the drinks and the bar are spectacular, and Foxy is known to hold court at any given time, entertaining guests and playing his guitar.

If you don't have a good time at Foxy's, well, there might not be much hope. The bar opens at 9 a.m. and the restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily. In season, there's live entertainment after dinner and as Foxy's says on its website, "the bar stays open until the party is done." On Friday and Saturday nights, Foxy's holds a barbeque on the beach.

Foxy rebuilt the music school two years ago, after the hurricanes, and now it serves as a gathering spot for local artists as well as many of the musicians who pass through on their own vacations. It provides free classes for all school-age children, while preserving the islands' own musical culture and traditions. It also offers classes in music production and recording, with access to a recording studio. You can see, and hear, Foxy himself below:

cruisingodyssey.com

Letters To The Editor -
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.

* From Tom Hayhoe re: Olympic Events

Ask a non-sailor if they can recall a single televised moment in Olympic sailing and the odds are that it will be when Ben Ainslie used team racing tactics to sail Robert Scheidt to the back of the Laser fleet in the final race in Sydney. Team racing is possibly the most fully evolved and watchable (lay people need decent commentary) discipline in our sailing (don't forget match racing is merely team racing for sailors who can't count) and a great showcase for our sport

If we can't have double handed offshore sailing, let's have mixed team racing (but why not both?).

Featured Charter
Andrasta - i39-OS

"The Iceni 39 is a British built all rounder with bags of potential!" – Andi Roberston Yachts and Yachting Review.

The Iceni 39 will appeal to teams wanting to sail a fast, fun, IRC 1 race boats. Andastra is easy to get up to speed for a new team and is fast and exciting yacht to race with 8 – 10 crew.

In 11-12 knots of wind Andastra can achieving just over 7 knots boat speed upwind and 11-14 knots downwind under spinnaker. With a well balanced helm and good feel the boat handles really well. In a blow Andastra can hit 24 knots boats speed off the wind!

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Lucy Jackson - LV Yachting
Call: +44 (0) 20 3920 6261
Email:
lvyachting.com

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
2011 ERYD 30 Classic - ORIENTE. 71500 EUR. Located in La Spezia, Italy.

Very pretty ERYD 30 Classic daysailor from Rossi. Ergonomics are very well thought out and she has space to stay for the weekend as well. Row away factor is huge on this one.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Ben Cooper
Berthon Yacht Sales
Tel: 0044 (0)1590 679 222
E-Mail:

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Gunboat 68. POA EUR.

A dream team of designers have developed the platform to make the Gunboat 68 the greatest Gunboat ever built.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

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1925 Alfred Mylne Bermudan Sloop 'Gometra'. 300000 EUR. Located in Italy

By the time a yacht is close to a century old it will have tales to tell, but few can match GOMETRA's life story, in particular as one of two British yachts that saved Norway's gold reserves during the Second World War as deck cargo to Canada.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sandeman Yacht Company
22 Market Street
Poole
BH15 1NF
http://www.sandemanyachtcompany.co.uk

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion. -- Rumi

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